Electronic finding aid was encoded in EAD by Lindsay Sprechman in May 2015. Description is in English.

Temple B’nai Abraham is a Conservative congregation, originally founded in Beverly, Massachusetts in 1908 as the Sons of Abraham. The Hebrew Community Center was annexed to the synagogue in 1930 and incorporated social groups, such as the Sisterhood and the Beverly Lodge of B’nai B’rith. The congregation expanded to a new
location in 1962 and officially changed their name to Temple B’nai Abraham. The collection was formed by a former president of the Sisterhood and contains Temple B’nai Abraham programs and announcements, Sisterhood newsletters, and photographs.

Temple B’nai Abraham was founded in Beverly, Massachusetts by a group of local families who had been gathering in various homes for Shabbat and holiday services. In 1908, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts issued a Certificate of Incorporation to the congregation, which was then known as Congregation Sons of Abraham.

In 1912, the Sons of Abraham joined with the two other congregations in Beverly, Sons of Israel and Sons of Abraham and Isaac, in a new synagogue located at 37 Bow Street. The combined congregations were issued a new charter by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts under the name Sons of Abraham and Isaac. When built, the synagogue became known as the “Bow Street Shul” and was recognized as
the first structure in Beverly built by Jews for Jews.

The Hebrew Community Center was annexed to the synagogue in 1930 and out of it sprang a number of social groups, including The Sisterhood and The Beverly Lodge of B’nai B’rith. The synagogue and community center became the foci for gatherings and activities for young and old. In 1945, the community center and synagogue were destroyed by a fire and were rebuilt on the same site.

The congregation eventually outgrew their Bow Street accommodations and built a new synagogue on East Lothrop Street in Beverly, where they are located today. The groundbreaking took place in 1961, and the building was dedicated in 1962. Also at that time, the congregation officially changed their name to Temple B’nai Abraham.

This collection was created by Roslyn Fliegel Tanzer, president of the Temple B’nai Abraham Sisterhood from 1959 to 1961. As president of the Sisterhood, she was present at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new synagogue in 1961. Previous to her presidency, she was on the Board of the Sisterhood as the Corresponding and Get Wells Secretary. Roslyn Fliegel was born on May 18, 1924 in
Beverly, Massachusetts, married Louis Tanzer in 1953, and died on July 21, 2009. She is buried in the Sons of Abraham Cemetery.

The records in this collection were gathered by Roslyn Tanzer, president of the Temple B’nai Abraham Sisterhood from 1959-1961. They include programs and bulletins distributed by Temple B’nai Abraham to its members, as well as a few announcements and letters sent to the congregation. The collection also contains issues of the Voice of Sisterhood newsletter,
printed between 1959 and 1961, and a few other circulars printed by the Sisterhood. A small group of photographs ranging in date from 1925 to 2008 is included.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open to all researchers by permission of the Director of Collections and Engagement of the American Jewish Historical Society,
except items that are restricted due to their fragility.

Use Restrictions

Information concerning the literary rights may be obtained from the Director of Library and Archives of the American Jewish Historical Society. Users must apply in writing for permission to quote, reproduce or otherwise publish manuscript materials found in this collection. For more information contact: American Jewish Historical Society, Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th
Street, New York, NY, 10011email:
reference@ajhs.org